Merger talks hit a standstill for Fairview, UMN physicians
Fairview Health Services has rejected a “best and final offer” from University of Minnesota Physicians, halting negotiations on a major health care merger that was announced last fall. The physicians...
View ArticleUMN plans $99M renovation for Pioneer Hall dorm and dining
The University of Minnesota is considering a $99 million renovation for Pioneer Hall, adding restrooms and elbow room to the aging dormitory, as well as a new dining center for the 2,800 students who...
View ArticleSenator warns UW class essay on gay sex could impact budget
MADISON, Wis. — A Republican legislator warned Thursday that a University of Wisconsin-Madison instructor’s decision to assign an “offensive” essay on gay men’s sexual preferences could have budget...
View ArticleNorth St. Paul district OKs levy request for Nov. 8 ballot
Residents of the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale school district will again be asked to approve a tax hike. They haven’t said yes since 2002. The referendum question, approved by the school board in...
View ArticleSt. Paul school board will fill board vacancy before election
The St. Paul school board will appoint a two-month replacement for board member Jean O’Connell before voters in November fill the vacancy for the remainder of her term. O’Connell resigned last month...
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Minnesota teacher tenure lawsuit faces first hurdle
A Ramsey County District Court judge will hear initial arguments Thursday in a lawsuit aimed at dismantling Minnesota’s union protections for public school teachers. State and local leaders want Judge...
View ArticleSt. Paul expects small share of new state preschool money
A new pot of state money for preschool is expected to add at least 20 more slots to St. Paul Public Schools’ growing program. Lawmakers set aside $27 million for the upcoming year with a goal of...
View ArticleEducators weigh in on ways to improve school oversight
Minnesota educators want to use the recent rewrite of the federal No Child Left Behind law to improve the state’s school accountability system. Brenda Cassellius, education commissioner, said she hopes...
View ArticleBell Museum’s new director put Grossology on the overhead dome
The woman who brought the popular kids book series “Grossology” to a planetarium screen has been named the new director at the Bell Museum + Planetarium. Denise Young, currently director of education...
View ArticleWill police catch ’em all? UMN reports two Pokemon Go phone thefts
Two Pokemon Go players have reported their cellphones stolen this week at the University of Minnesota. In a not-too-serious public safety message Thursday, the U warned players of the dangers of...
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Woodbury charter school told to clean up its act, or else
If a Woodbury charter school doesn’t improve its governance, it could face consequences. That’s the takeaway from a July 18 letter to leaders of Woodbury Leadership Academy from officials of Volunteers...
View ArticleWho wants to serve on St. Paul school board? So far, nobody
The St. Paul school board is down a member, and it looks like it might stay that way. The board set a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday — that’s today — for applicants to declare their interest in filling in...
View ArticleUMN plans $99M renovation for Pioneer Hall dorm and dining
The University of Minnesota is considering a $99 million renovation for Pioneer Hall, adding restrooms and elbow room to the aging dormitory, as well as a new dining center for the 2,800 students who...
View ArticleNew contract could mean changing roles for police in St. Paul schools
Advocates hope a new contract between St. Paul’s police department and public school district will bring a gentler, more lenient approach to law enforcement in city high schools. The school district...
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In 18 days, St. Paul summer school students make up a semester
On the roster for teacher Alexander Ward’s morning summer class are 39 students who failed ninth-grade English. Sixteen showed up July 18 for the first day of summer school’s second term at Washington...
View ArticleRamsey County task force begins search for answers to school violence
For Kimberly Young’s 8-year-old son, the trouble at school began when his father was sent back to prison. “When that male voice was here, he was good in school. Now that he’s gone, I get call after...
View ArticleSt. Paul school board applicants’ names released
St. Paul Public Schools on Tuesday released the names of the 37 people who applied for a short-term vacancy on the school board. The district said Friday that the names would not be made public. They...
View ArticleUnder new agreement, St. Paul school leaders to supervise student arrests
St. Paul Public Schools will keep closer tabs on the work of its school resource officers this fall, with school leaders participating in the arrests of students and collecting detailed data on...
View ArticleEagan 12-year-old’s nonprofit started as a birthday wish
Mandi Simon hasn’t decided whether she’ll reuse her black backpack from last year when she starts eighth grade this fall at Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights. But the 12-year-old...
View ArticleDonating school supplies as easy as A-B-C
Even a third-grader can do the math and figure out that school supplies add up. Back-to-school shopping lists often include: notebooks, pencils, pens, markers, glue sticks, binders, a pair of scissors,...
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